[Motorchoco]

(hm...i think I posted my first post on the wrong forum)

Just switched from a 06 330i to a 09 335i yesterday.
The 330i I had came with leatherette here, and the 335i comes with dakota leather.

The real leather definitely feels and smells much nicer. However, I already have the feeling that it won't be nearly as durable as the 330i leatherette seat. (The 330i leatherette seats show almost no sign of wear after 65000km with zero maintenance)

So I am wondering if there anything I can do or any product I can use to prolong the life of the leather and prevent cracking and wear.
(I used to own an RSX with leather seat, and they started developing small cracks and wrinkles after just 3 years. I would hate to see this happen to the 335i)

[ZJP]

http://www.autogeek.net/le16ozkit.html

[Joeb427]

I use Zaino leather conditioner but it's kind of a waste but I like the scent.UV protection is important even for today's leather.
Today's leather has a top coat of synthetic, transparent resin is applied as a protective coating in either a high gloss or matte finish.Conditioners don't absorb in like seat leather in the past.

[bmw-hoya]

There's already about 50-million threads on this topic. Search.

Personally, I use Zaino Z-9 to clean and the Z-10 to condition every few months (every 4 to 6 months or so, depending on usage.)

But there are some terrific reviews and side-by-side comparisons out there if you search the forum.

[jlstyle]

I just use maguire (?) leather conditional with damp cloth.
My leather still looks and feels better than the first day I picked up the car.
So shiny and sexy looking coral red.

[BK]

Originally Posted by jlstyle

I just use maguire (?) leather conditional with damp cloth.
My leather still looks and feels better than the first day I picked up the car.
So shiny and sexy looking coral red.

You have an 09. I should hope the leather still looks as good as when you got it!

Motorchoco - if you (1) use leather cleaner and conditioner 2x or 3x per year and (2) be careful about rubbing against the side bolster when you enter/exit the car, then your leather will look as good in 50K miles as it does now.

[richtorr]

i use a leather conditioner every so often to clean, and follow with some armor all leather cleaner. looks nice and shiny and no greasy crappy feel. i've had my car two years and have no creases or cracks on my leather yet. (coral red is sexy) imho just dont pile up armor all on your seats or dash and make sure to clean with a good conditioner in between details. i see plenty of people with super shiny crappy looking seats, not cool

[Motorchoco]

Definitely Do not want shinny finish on leather.

I looked up somewhere and some people claim the newer bmw leather's comes "coated", so leather conditioner is kinda useless on it since the leather cannot absorb the conditioner.
Is that true?

Also wanted to know which conditioner out there is odorless. I still have the nice leather smell in the car and I want to keep that as long as possible.

And how often should you use those the leather cleaner and conditioner?

[am_ver]

I like chemical guys conditioner:

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Leather_...spi_109_16.htm

[Pedal2Floor]

Originally Posted by Motorchoco

Definitely Do not want shinny finish on leather.

I looked up somewhere and some people claim the newer bmw leather's comes "coated", so leather conditioner is kinda useless on it since the leather cannot absorb the conditioner.
Is that true?

I know on the verts they have specificall gone out of the way to make very tough and I assume they use some coating for that. On the coupes and sedans I am not so sure.

Originally Posted by Motorchoco

Also wanted to know which conditioner out there is odorless. I still have the nice leather smell in the car and I want to keep that as long as possible.

And how often should you use those the leather cleaner and conditioner?

The Zaino is not orderless, but it does smell like new leather. I believe the recommendation is 2 to 4 times a year depending on how dirty your seats get.

I like to do it at the start if each new season. Easy to remember

[Joeb427]

I'll tell you what guys.
Let a drop of water fall on your leather.
If it beads and doesn't soak in,it's coated.

[lucas.kent]

I use Poorboy's Leather Stuff. It works great, doesn't leave a shiny finish - and best of all it maintains and restores the leather smell. After I use it on the seats my girlfriend says it smells like a new handbag, which I guess is a good thing.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Poorboy...P126/16-oz-S1/

[DrGP]

What I have found is that I tend to abrade and wear the side bolster when I get in and out. Actually abrasion from the wallet in my pocket. Make sure you are carefull getting in and out to minimize this. You did not say what color your interior is. If it is black it will be easier to maintain becuse you can use shoe polish to rejuvinate any scuffing and wear that occurs. You can do that with other colors as well. Tough part is finding shoe polish/creme to match the other BMW colors.

[ejazbmw]

screw zaino that stuff is so over hyped just because it smells good, I personally use the 303 line up from detailed image

[iheartsole]

i use that leather cleaner the dealer gave me

[twinturboa51]

Leather Stuff FTMFW it leaves the seats matte and it makes them smell like new leather

[MrZ]

Originally Posted by DrGP

What I have found is that I tend to abrade and wear the side bolster when I get in and out. Actually abrasion from the wallet in my pocket. Make sure you are carefull getting in and out to minimize this. You did not say what color your interior is. If it is black it will be easier to maintain becuse you can use shoe polish to rejuvinate any scuffing and wear that occurs. You can do that with other colors as well. Tough part is finding shoe polish/creme to match the other BMW colors.

Wouldn't it be on your clothes after? If not, that might be a good idea.

P.S. I use Zaino Z9, Z10. Leather looks and feels better than it was when I picked it up (car is CPO).

[halB]

I use the BMW leather cleaner and conditioner too. They preserve the nice matt OEM finish.

[ede92]

Originally Posted by Motorchoco

Definitely Do not want shinny finish on leather.

Also wanted to know which conditioner out there is odorless. I still have the nice leather smell in the car and I want to keep that as long as possible.

And how often should you use those the leather cleaner and conditioner?

I bought Zaino and Meguire to try them but I still prefer the Lexol since the smell is subtle but rocks, and leaves a dull satin finish - my preference also.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by DrGP

What I have found is that I tend to abrade and wear the side bolster when I get in and out. Actually abrasion from the wallet in my pocket. Make sure you are carefull getting in and out to minimize this. You did not say what color your interior is. If it is black it will be easier to maintain becuse you can use shoe polish to rejuvinate any scuffing and wear that occurs. You can do that with other colors as well. Tough part is finding shoe polish/creme to match the other BMW colors.

One thing to remember here.

You know how you use 2 or even 3 cloths or brushes to polish your shoes; an 'on' cloth and one or two buffing cloths? In future, after you've done your car seats with shoe cream, do remember when getting dressed each morning that you're now wearing the buffing cloth. This has the obvious advantage that each time you drive your car, you're also giving your seat a nice shine.

Regarding that shine...do make sure that whenever you brake hard, you're well braced against the steering wheel and floor, otherwise you could end up in the footwell, which is obviously not the ideal driving position. And if you happen to use a silicon-based shoe polish, you may also find that fitting 4 point safety harnesses is advantagous to keep you on the driver's side of the car around bends.

Obviously all the above is tongue in cheek, but there's also an element of truth. There's nothing worse in a high performance car than a slippy seat so the #1 criteria I look for in any leather conditioner is that it does not make the seat slippery

Cheerio!

Steve

[nardoM4]

Originally Posted by Motorchoco

(hm...i think I posted my first post on the wrong forum)

Just switched from a 06 330i to a 09 335i yesterday.
The 330i I had came with leatherette here, and the 335i comes with dakota leather.

The real leather definitely feels and smells much nicer. However, I already have the feeling that it won't be nearly as durable as the 330i leatherette seat. (The 330i leatherette seats show almost no sign of wear after 65000km with zero maintenance)

So I am wondering if there anything I can do or any product I can use to prolong the life of the leather and prevent cracking and wear.
(I used to own an RSX with leather seat, and they started developing small cracks and wrinkles after just 3 years. I would hate to see this happen to the 335i)

omg the dreaded rsx leather cracking lol. same with my old rsx lol